For students applying to college, there are many moving parts to the application process. Being aware of deadlines is important to efficiently complete all the steps. Deadlines to submit college applications for regular decision are in January and February, with January 1 as a common date.
To make sure all required items for submission are completed, follow this handy checklist:
SAT/ACT scores
High school transcripts
List of extra-curricular activities
Letters of recommendation
Common app essay
Supplemental essay
Once obtaining the first four items on the list and filling out the common application, the last steps before submitting the application are writing the common application essay and the supplemental essay (s), if required by the colleges of your choice.
Here is a suggested timeline to prepare the essays:
Spring (Junior Year)
- Begin to think about the prompt or topic for the essay
- Brainstorm: Generate a list of ideas; including personal characteristics, background, experiences, goals, and interests.
- Think about the personal narrative you want to share.
Summer-Between Junior and Senior Year
- Selecting: Make a final decision on your chosen prompt or topic.
- Drafting: Write multiple drafts of your essay to develop your ideas.
- Editing: Begin to refine and edit your rough drafts.
- Supplemental Essays: Start brainstorming or drafting supplemental essays for your target schools.
- Finalizing Essay: Try to complete most of your common app essay before the start of senior year.
Fall-Senior Year Key Tips
- September: Review essay making edits, revisions, and adjustments.
- September/October: Begin working on and finalizing the supplemental essay for each school where you are applying.
- November: Finalize essays and submit applications, aiming to have the applications completed before the holidaysKey Tips
- Start Early: for a more comfortable and thorough process and a higher quality essay.
- Multiple Drafts: Plan to write several drafts to improve essay content.
- Get Feedback: Have trusted teachers, counselors, tutors, or advisors review essays to provide feedback before finalizing.
Team Tutor provides a guide to selecting college essay topics:https://www.teamtutor.com/a-guide-to-selecting-the-topic-for-the-college-application-essay/
Team Tutor’s expert tutors offer suggestions for beginning the essay: https://www.teamtutor.com/writing-the-first-draft-of-a-college-application-essay/
Team Tutor offers a full range of academic tutoring, test prep, and study skills services, including executive functioning support, for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Call us today at 215-657-1981 or visit www.teamtutor.com.